Pioneer updates AV receivers with HTC Connect support

Pioneer has announced that it's updating firmware on its range of 2012 networked AV receivers with support for HTC Connect streaming capabilities. Announced back in June, Pioneer's HTC Connect support lets users with HTC smartphones stream multimedia content to supporting Pioneer devices, similar to the way HTC's own Media Link HD works.

On the HTC side, phones supporting HTC Connect include the One X, One S, EVO 4G LTE, Droid Incredible 4G LTE, One X+, One VX and Droid DNA. On early 2012 phones like the original One X and One S, you'll want to make sure you're running the latest firmware update before attempting to use HTC Connect.

Pioneer says supported devices can be updated through a network update or via a manual update method using a USB drive.

Pioneer Electronics has released a new firmware update for all Pioneer 2012 networked audio video receiver models to support the exciting HTC Connect™ technology, a feature that allows owners of compatible HTC smartphones to stream music content directly to their Pioneer Audio Video receiver(s) via a wireless connection*. With HTC Connect, consumers can turn their phones into never-ending sources of entertainment, with the ability to control music playback and volume easily while simultaneously using the device for other functions, from making and receiving calls and taking pictures to downloading the latest apps and surfing the Web.

Pioneer is the first manufacturer to add compatibility with the HTC Connect technology through its line of SMA wireless speakers introduced in June, and is now expanding compatibility with its wide array of extremely popular Pioneer and Elite branded A/V receivers. Compatible receiver models include VSX-822-K, VSX-1022-K, VSX-1122-K, VSX-42, VSX-60, SC-1222-K, SX-1522-K, SC-61, SC-63, SC-65, SC-67 and SC-68, with suggested retail pricing starting at $379.99.

The Pioneer Audio Video receivers and SMA wireless speakers are compatible with the latest HTC series phones, a total of seven in their lineup, including three of the most recent introductions, HTC One X+, HTC One VX and HTC Droid DNA. A complete list of compatible phones and HTC Connect certified devices can be found on www.pioneerelectronics.com/htc or here.

Ehhhhh they should think of some open standard for LAN streaming. They kind of ending up like Instand Messeging protocols, where there open XMPP that works like email, but no body using it except Google Talk :p

That and pretty much whatever else you want (it basically just puts your phones screen large on the TV), annoyingly as with HDMI out on my Transformer you can't put Google Play movies on the TV through it but HTC's watch service, YouTube, Flash based videos on websites and most everything else is mirrored on your TV through the WiFi network and with things like the YouTube app and various others you can turn the phones screen off whilst you're watching the TV which is useful for saving battery.

Also you can still use the phone for other things like browsing the internet whilst streaming movies which I really like :)

I looked at Onkyo, but there seems to be a lot of bad reports about their crappy firmware and poor circuit board quality lately - specifically with HDMI input ports not working. "Santa" bought me the Pioneer VSX-1122-K for this reason.

My Onkyo TX-NR515 works flawlessly. Their Android app streams right to it and is handy to control zone 2 when you are in a different room. It sounds great. I literally could not be happier with a receiver. Best thing about this model is that since I am only using 5.1 the extra two channels can power speakers in zone 2.